Hinge-like, tilt position, cover support

ABSTRACT

A support for holding a large size cover either in horizontal or tilted position, and formed of a roughly inverted triangularshaped plate having a forward edge formed with a central rearwardly extending step portion, the base of the triangle secured to an end portion of the cover, and the point rested upon a fixed bottom support for supporting said cover end, with a forward stop normally engaging the forward edge of the plate above the step portion and a rear ledge stop closely spaced near the middle of the plate rear edge, so that the cover may be tilted and the plate rear portion may be fitted beneath and engaged with the rear ledge stop while the step portion engages the forward stop for holding the cover in tilted position.

United States Patent 13,584,756

[72] Inventor Floyd R. Gladwin FOREIGN PATENTS :53; Eureka madism'hgate Mich- 1,202,523 /]965 Germany 2l7/60A [21 Appl. No. 877,242 Primary Examiner-Raphael H. Schwartz [22] Filed Nov. 7 9 AtlorneyCullen, Settle, Sloman and Cantor Patented June 15, 1971 ABSTRACT: A support for holding a. large size cover either in [54] HINGEUKE TILT POSITION COVER SUPPORT horizontal or tilted position, and formed of a roughly inverted 2 Claims 4 Dming Figs. triangular-shaped plate having a forward edge formed with a central rearwardly extending step portion, the base of the tri- [52] U.S.Cl 217/ angle secured to an end portion f the cover and the point [5 II.-

re ted u on a fixed bottom support for supporting aid cover Field of 2 l M, end a forward stop normally engaging the forward edge 60 A,B,C; 220/ CH, 3 296/76 of the plate above the step portion and a rear ledge stop closely spaced near the middle of the plate rear edge, so that the [56] References cued cover may be tilted and the plate rear portion may be fitted UNITED STATES PATENTS beneath and engaged with the rear ledge stop while the step 3,015,405 [/1962 Sterling 2l7/60A portion engages the forward stop for holding the cover in 3,506,153 4/1970 Hatch et a1. 220/31 tilted position.

PATENTEU JUN} 5 I97! FIG.

FIGZ

W ti INVENTOR D R. GLADWIN M M ATTORNEYS HINGE-LIKE, TILT POSITION, COVER SUPPORT BACKGROUND OF INVENTION In certain types of large size containers, such as those used for holding large quantities of trash or miscellaneous items, it is desirable to provide the cover with a hinge type of structure which normally permits the cover to remain in a horizontal or closed position, and yet permits the cover to be tilted upwardly for partially opening the container and for holding the cover in its tilted position such as during loading or unloading of the container. Commonly ordinary hinges have been used for hingedly connecting the cover to the container and then a separate mechanism has been provided for holding the cover in an upwardly tilted position, such as links or arms or the like.

It is preferable for cost reduction as well as part reduction and simplicity, to use a simplified hinge which functions both to support the cover in its horizontal position as well as to hold the cover in its upwardly tilted position and particularly for large size containers where accuracy is both unnecessary and costly to provide such a hinge in a form which permits wide manufacturing inaccuracies and large tolerances in manufacturing.

Thus, the invention herein relates to such a hinge-like support which is formed of several independent elements whose size may be widely inaccurate, and yet is of such simple configuration to support the cover positively in both horizontal as well as tilted position.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Summarizing, the invention herein contemplates forming a hinge-like support of a vertically arranged plate secured to the pivoting portion of the cover, the plate being approximately an inverted triangular shape with its point rested upon a lower support, and having a forward edge which is stepped in configuration. Cooperating stops are arranged at the forward and rear edges of the plate so that the plate may be tilted with the cover, and engage the forward stop as well as be received into and engaged by the rear stop to thereby hold the plate and the cover positively in an upwardly tilted position.

With proper design, the point of the plate remains in contact with the lower support at all times, thus giving positive support for the cover which may be of a heavy material.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, of which the attached drawings form a part.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, top view of a portion of a container and cover and one of the hingelike supports at one side of the cover.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view taken in the direction of arrows 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hingelike support and a portion of the cover, and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the hingelike support in various tilted positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a large container which may be of any shape or size. For purposes of illustration, only a portion of the container is shown since it forms no part of the invention herein. The container includes a forward wall 11 and a rear wall 12 and a horizontal cover 13 which has its forward end rested upon the upper edge of the forward wall 11.

The hingelike support is secured to the rear edge of the cover so that the cover may be tilted upwardly and held in an upwardly tilted position for as long as desired. Preferably, at least two of these hingelike supports would be used, one on each side of the cover. However, for purposes of illustration, only one support is shown.

The hingelike support includes a roughly inverted triangular shaped plate 15 which is arranged perpendicular to the axis of tilting or pivoting of the cover and is secured to the side edge of the cover by means of suitable mechanical fasteners 16, such as screws or rivets or the like.

The plate 15 is formed with a forwardly and downwardly sloped rear edge 17, preferably sloped in two parts for better clearance as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The forward edge of the plate is formed of an upper downwardly and rearwardly sloped portion 18 continuing into a horizontal step portion 19 and then a lower downwardly and rearwardly sloped portion 20. Thus, the forward and rear edges of the plate intersect at a support point 21 which normally rests upon a fixed lower support member or plate 22 secured to the container rear wall 12.

A forward stop block 23, illustrated as being triangular in shape is secured to the lower support member 22 and is provided with an upper forward stop point 24 which normally engages the portion 18 of the plate 15. This prevents the cover from being pulled forwardly and properly positions it for normal horizontal position.

Additionally, a rear stop channel 25 is secured to either the rear wall 12 or the lower support member 22 and is provided with an upper channel portion forming a horizontal stop ledge 26 which is spaced a short distance from the rear edge 17 of plate 15.

FIG. 3 illustrates the four members which make up the hingelike support, namely, the plate 15,. the lower support member 22, the forward stop block 23 and the rear stop channel 25 with its horizontal stop ledge portion 26.

OPERATION In operation, the cover is arranged horizontally and the hingelike support is arranged as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

The forward edge of the cover is supported upon the forward wall of the container and the rear end of the cover is supported upon the plate point 21 rested upon the lower support member 22.

When it is desired to lift the cover and hold it in tilted position, such as at approximately a 45 angle, the forward end of the cover 13 is grasped and lifted upwardly and pulled forwardly as indicated by the dotted line positions of the plate 15 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Here, the cover may be fully raised for as long as necessary and then may be partially raised in the ap proximately 45 position and retained there by sliding the cover rearwardly and downwardly until the forward stop point 24 located on the forward stop block 23 engages beneath and supports the step portion 19 of the plate: 15. Simultaneously, the rear end of the plate 15 is slipped beneath and in contact with the horizontal stop ledge 26.

In this position, the plate is engage at its upper rear by the horizontal stop ledge 26, at its step portion by the forward stop point 24 and its support point 21 is rested upon the support member 22. This maintains the cover in its upwardly tilted position where it may remain as long as necessary.

To lower the cover, it is simply pulled forwardly and upwardly slightly to clear the rear of the plate from beneath the ledge 26 and then it may be slid backwardly and downwardly to return to the FIG. 2 position.

It can be seen that the hinge-like structure thus eliminates any positive connection between the various members forming it and eliminates any need for accuracy in the construction of the parts and yet provides a sturdy, positive support mechanism.

Having fully described an operative embodiment of this invention, I now claim:

1. A hingelike tilt position cover support for a horizontally arranged cover having a rear end about which it is tilted upwardly comprising:

a vertically arranged, roughly inverted triangular shaped plate secured to and depending beneath the cover at said rear end and arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axis of tilting;

the rear edge of the plate being generally sloped forwardly and downwardly;

the forward edge of the plate being sloped rearwardly and downwardly for approximately half of its vertical height, then extending horizontally rearwardly to form a roughly horizontal step portion, then extending rearwardly and downwardly so that the plate front edge and rear edge intersect at a lower support point located approximately midway between the horizontal length of the plate;

said lower support point normally resting upon a fixed support member located beneath the cover for supporting the rear end of the cover, with the plate forward edge in contact with a forward fixed stop means engaging its upper sloped half portion;

and a horizontal stop ledge arranged adjacent to, but normally spaced a short distance rearwardly of about the middle of the rear edge of the plate;

said cover being tiltable upwardly to roughly a 45 angle position for moving the plate into a position wherein the stop ledge engage over and with the rear portion of the upper edge of the plate and the horizontal step portion of the plate forward edge engages over and rests upon said forward fixed stop means for supporting the cover in tilted position.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, and said lower point being arranged to rest upon the fixed support means when the cover is tilted, thereby forming a three point support for the plate. 

1. A hingelike tilt position cover support for a horizontally arranged cover having a rear end about which it is tilted upwardly comprising: a vertically arranged, roughly inverted triangular shaped plate secured to and depending beneath the cover at said rear end and arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axis of tilting; the rear edge of the plate being generally sloped forwardly and downwardly; the forward edge of the plate being sloped rearwardly and downwardly for approximately half of its vertical height, then extending horizontally rearwardly to form a roughly horizontal step portion, then extending rearwardly and downwardly so that the plate front edge and rear edge intersect at a lower support point located approximately midway between the horizontal length of the plate; said lower support point normally resting upon a fixed support member located beneath the cover for supporting the rear end of the cover, with the plate forward edge in contact with a forward fixed stop means engaging its upper sloped half portion; and a horizontal stop ledge arranged adjacent to, but normally spaced a short distance rearwardly of about the middle of the rear edge of the plate; said cover being tiltable upwardly to roughly a 45* angle position for moving the plate into a position wherein the stop ledge engage over and with the rear portion of the upper edge of the plate and the horizontal step portion of the plate forward edge engages over and rests upon said forward fixed stop means for supporting the cover in tilted position.
 2. A device as defined in claim l, and said lower point being arranged to rest upon the fixed support means when the cover is tilted, thereby forming a three point support for the plate. 